Where and when to see snowdrops

The delicate white blooms of snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) bring joy to the winter months. They're a symbol of hope and a sure sign that warmer weather is on the way. Find out when you can expect to see these special flowers, the best places to look for them and how your snowdrop sightings could help a long-running science project.

When to see snowdrops

Snowdrops generally bloom from January to March, but the exact timing depends on the weather and where you live in the UK. In warmer winters, they have been seen in December and even as early as mid-November, so it's worth keeping your eyes peeled before Christmas, especially if you live in the south of the UK.

Where to see snowdrops

Snowdrops grow in many places across the UK. Look for them in parks, gardens, woodland and meadows, and alongside roads and riverbanks.

Snowdrops grace the woodland floor at many of our sites. Check out these top spots for a snowdrop walk, or find a wood near you. 

• Green Castle Woods, Carmarthenshire
• Marl Hall Woods, Conwy
• Lang Craigs, West Dunbartonshire
• Hackfall, North Yorkshire
• Huntly Wood, Longforgan

Tell us when you see snowdrops

Our citizen science project, Nature’s Calendar, tracks the effects of weather and climate change on nature across the UK, including when snowdrops first flower. This is one of over 150 different events monitored for the project, which has records dating all the way back to 1736! 

You could help add to this important data. Anyone can volunteer, anywhere in the UK to help us notice seasonal changes where you live or work. Join thousands of people recording for Nature's Calendar and tell us when you see snowdrops flower. By taking just a few minutes to share what you see, you'll be adding to years' worth of important data. Every record is crucial and valid. We couldn't do this work without you!

What do snowdrop flowering records tell us?

Logging these first flowers doesn't take long but the data is really valuable to scientists. Analysis of Nature’s Calendar snowdrop records has shown a relationship between temperature and when snowdrops start flowering. For every 1°C warmer the average January temperature is, the date that snowdrops first flower advances by three days. And comparing Nature’s Calendar snowdrop data with data from the Royal Meteorological Society from 1937-1947 shows that snowdrop flowering is now earlier than it was in the mid-20th century.

What to look for next

If you enjoyed searching for snowdrops, there are plenty of other early spring flowers to look out for! 

• January: hazel, lesser celandine
• February: blackthorn, coltsfoot
• March: wood anemone, bluebell, cuckoo flower.

You can also download our poster to find out which species to record throughout the year, from beetles and butterflies to fungi and frogspawn.